“A property linked to him was searched. The loft had been turned into a growing room, with insulation, irrigation pipes, and fans.

“In a mesh holder there was 1.4kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of £15,000.

“A computer found in Sharpe’s property in Ardrossan Road, Hartlepool,had been used to search the internet for information on growing cannabis. Documents which were found led police to properties linked to the other conspirators.”

Ms Dodds said police found cannabis grown in a house in Ridley Court, Hartlepool, and evidence of a recently abandoned grow in a third property.

“It is estimated the annual yield from the grows would have been £25,650,” added Ms Dodds.

Sharpe, of Ardrossan Road, Thomson, of Schooner Court, and Nelson, of Marske Street, all 56 years, all Hartlepool, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce a Class B drug between January and February 2016.